VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

Quality 10

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

Diamond certified VIDEO PROFILE

Diamond certified company PROFILE

Benjamin Dumitrascuta, Owner

Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. provides a wide range of residential construction services for clients throughout the East Bay and San Francisco, handling everything from kitchen and bathroom remodels to additions and custom home building. In addition to its new construction/remodeling services, the company can design and build high-end custom cabinetry, install tile and stone, replace windows, build decks and fences, and more.

Owner-operator Benjamin Dumitrascuta is a second-generation building professional—his father, Gelu, established his own construction company in the 1980s after emigrating from Eastern Europe and taught his son the trade at a very young age. “He instilled in me the importance of quality craftsmanship, and that remains my number one objective today,” says Mr. Dumitrascuta.

Benjamin D. Construction takes a personalized approach to dealing with customers and develops close relationships with them that continue even after their construction projects are finished. “Personal service is an important part of my process,” confirms Mr. Dumitrascuta. “I personally handle all cabinet, finish, tile, framing/carpentry, foundation, electrical and plumbing work in-house, and I’m heavily involved in the design of each project.”

Company Profile

Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. provides a wide range of residential construction services for clients throughout the East Bay and San Francisco, handling everything from kitchen and bathroom remodels to additions and custom home building. In addition to its new construction/remodeling services, the company can design and build high-end custom cabinetry, install tile and stone, replace windows, build decks and fences, and more.

Owner-operator Benjamin Dumitrascuta is a second-generation building professional—his father, Gelu, established his own construction company in the 1980s after emigrating from Eastern Europe and taught his son the trade at a very young age. “He instilled in me the importance of quality craftsmanship, and that remains my number one objective today,” says Mr. Dumitrascuta.

Benjamin D. Construction takes a personalized approach to dealing with customers and develops close relationships with them that continue even after their construction projects are finished. “Personal service is an important part of my process,” confirms Mr. Dumitrascuta. “I personally handle all cabinet, finish, tile, framing/carpentry, foundation, electrical and plumbing work in-house, and I’m heavily involved in the design of each project.”

Company Philosophy

“I approach every job with the same set of values: accountability, reliability, superior craftsmanship and a dedication to quality. Regardless of the size of the remodeling project, I provide the same high level of service and always aim to exceed the customer’s expectations.”

Comparative Summary

Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for construction companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Benjamin D. Construction, Inc., the key to achieving and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction is taking a dedicated approach to each project that combines equal amounts of value and quality. “Regardless of the size of the job, I focus intently on quality craftsmanship,” confirms owner-operator Benjamin Dumitrascuta. “Ultimately, I’m accountable for all the work, so I always make sure my customers are completely happy with the end results.”

Benjamin D. Construction has been providing residential construction services for clients throughout the East Bay and San Francisco since 1989, handling everything from kitchen and bathroom remodels to additions and custom home building. In addition to its new construction/remodeling capabilities, the company can build decks and fences, replace windows, install hardwood floors, and more.

Unlike larger construction firms whose owners delegate project management responsibilities to other employees, Benjamin D. Construction provides every job with the personal touch and hands-on expertise of Mr. Dumitrascuta himself. “Since I’m onsite every day, I’m immediately available to answer questions and address concerns for the customer,” he explains. “Also, my personal service extends to construction aspects that other contractors don’t provide, like painting and cabinet design/construction. I like doing those jobs because they allow me to use my creativity and attention to detail to create truly unique products.”

Mr. Dumitrascuta credits much of his company’s success to his ability and willingness to communicate with customers even after their jobs are finished, which allows him to confirm his work is holding up properly and answer any questions the customer may have. “My favorite part of the job is hearing my customers say the work turned out better than they expected,” he says. “This business is just as much about accountability as it is about superior craftsmanship, so when my customers are happy, I’m happy.”

Industry Info

Before hiring a contracting firm for a construction project, make sure it values ongoing industry education. Residential/commercial construction is a rapidly changing field—new products and regulations are constantly being introduced into the market, so contractors have to take the time to educate themselves in order to stay on the cutting edge of the industry. “A good contractor should always be learning by visiting building websites and attending product tradeshows,” confirms Benjamin Dumitrascuta, owner of Benjamin D. Construction Co in Lafayette. “To remain competitive and do the job correctly, you have to stay on top of the state licensing board’s updates and know which new laws and regulations are in effect.”
One of the biggest areas of change in the construction industry is the implementation of Green building materials and practices, which have become increasingly popular with homeowners over the past couple decades. “Most people don’t know exactly what Green building entails, but they know they want to be environmentally-responsible,” says Mr. Dumitrascuta. “Green building involves a lot of different factors, so a good contractor should be able to explain exactly how they’re going to make your job as environmentally-friendly as possible.”
When looking for a contractor, Mr. Dumitrascuta cautions against basing your decision solely on price. “Of course, it’s important to find a contractor who’s price-competitive, but your main goal should be getting the most value for your money, and that doesn’t always mean the lowest price,” he says. “Look for a company that takes pride in its work and is in the business for the long run. Build a relationship with them instead of just conducting a business transaction. That way, you can be assured they’ll be ready to help if you need future work.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long will my project take to complete?

A: It depends on the extent of the work, but I’ll give you a rough estimate when I submit the bid. Then, when I write up the contract and go into the specific details, I’ll refine that initial estimate and provide a more precise completion date.

Q: Do you use subcontractors?

A: Yes. All the subcontractors I use are licensed and reputable professionals with whom I have a lot of experience. Also, it’s rare that I take on more than one project at a time, so I’m always onsite to supervise the work.

Expert CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE

Benjamin Dumitrascuta: An Early Start

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

LAFAYETTE — While many builders get their start in the construction industry in high school or college, few are initiated as early as elementary school. However, that was exactly the case for Benjamin Dumitrascuta. “My dad was a contractor, and starting from when I was about eight years old, he would pick me up after school and take me to work with him,” he remembers. “By the time I was 16, I was working after school in a professional capacity.” Today, as owner of Benjamin D. Construction Co., Benjamin credits much of his success to the primary instruction he received from his father. “He instilled in me the importance of quality craftsmanship, and that remains my number one objective today.”

Originally from Hayward, Benjamin currently resides in Lafayette with his wife, Roxana, and their four children, Allison, Andrew, Adrian and Ashley. An avid outdoorsman, he regards the Bay Area as an ideal location for him and his family to pursue some of their favorite activities, including camping, swimming at the beach and hiking the East Bay Regional trail. When he’s not immersed in nature, Benjamin can often be found tending to plants in his garden or restoring a piece of antique furniture in his woodshop.

Benjamin says one piece of advice he’d share with others is to follow your heart when choosing a lifelong career. “You have to love what you do. It’s not worth it to do something that doesn’t give you satisfaction, so if that’s the case, you should move on to something that does.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he could retire tomorrow, Benjamin says he’d gear up for a big road trip. “I would probably buy an RV and just travel around the U.S. to see some areas I haven’t been to yet. When I got back, I’d keep myself busy by spending more time working in my wood shop.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Coffee.

Q: What’s your favorite season?
A: Spring, because everything starts turning green, the weather starts warming up and I can get back into gardening.

Q: If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: Probably the future, just to know what’s ahead so I can prepare for it.

Expert articles

How to Properly Seal Tile Work

by Benjamin Dumitrascuta, a Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

LAFAYETTE — Tiles are a popular option when it comes to flooring, particularly in showers or other areas where the presence of water is a factor. However, one mistake often made in tile work is the use of cement grout to seal corners, seams and other areas where the tile meets a wall (also known as expansion joints).

While cement grout is typically used to seal joints between tiles on a level plain, it should not be used to seal expansion joints because these areas are prone to flexing and shifting over time. Since cement isn’t a flexible substance, these movements can cause cracks to form in cement grout. Besides being unsightly, cracks in tile grout can result in water penetration and lead to problems like dry rot.

When it comes to sealing expansion joints, a much better product to use is caulk—it’s a more flexible substance, so it’s able to expand and contract without cracking. Also, unlike grout, caulk is waterproof, which makes it perfect for tile work in showers. Additionally, in the event that caulk does crack, it’s very easy to replace.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Benjamin Dumitrascuta: A common problem when remodeling and doing tile work is contractors using the wrong type of grout in a corner or a seam. You’re not supposed to use this grout in the corner here. Instead, you’re supposed to use caulk grout, which allows for expansion and contraction.

The proper way to caulk grout in a corner is to use a caulk grout. What you do is you spread the caulk. I sprayed [nitrate] alcohol so that the caulk doesn’t spread to the tile.

So, when grouting your bathroom, you do not want to take this grout and put this in a corner. Instead, you want to use an acrylic grout, which expands and contracts with the house. You go in the corner and you [seal] that with the caulk grout. Whenever the home moves and expands and contracts, this area will always stay flexible and it won’t crack; water won’t ever penetrate.

Host, Sarah Rutan: To learn more from our local, top-rated companies, visit us at experts.diamondcertified.org.

COMPANY CONTACT

Benjamin D. Construction, Inc.

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Diamond Certified RATINGS ON Benjamin D. Construction, Inc.

Rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise

Benjamin D. Construction, Inc.

29 SURVEYS

RATING

7 CONSECUTIVE YEARS SINCEFebruary 2012CERT1830

DIAMOND CERTIFIED PERFORMANCE GUARANTEED

Diamond certified ratings dashboard

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
i

Customer LOYALTY
i

Helpful Expertise
i

Each surveyed customer was asked, “If you needed any helpful expertise, did this company provide that expertise?” To calculate this score, total “Yes” responses were divided by total responses (excluding those that stated they hadn’t needed any expertise).

Company Credentials
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Workers Compensation

Liability Insurance

License Verification

Business Practices

Current Complaint File

Legal & Finance

Phone SURVEY RESPONSES FROM 29 VERIFIED CUSTOMERS
i

Benjamin D. Construction, Inc.:
Average 9.7 out of 10 based on 29 unique customer surveys of customer satisfaction.

Hanna Q.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

1
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

It was really easy to work with them, and they were professional. They did a lot of research.

I liked how professional they were.

Sandie S.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

2
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

Their prices are very reasonable, and the work is excellent, so I would use them again.

The expertise and the price

Brad O.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

3
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

The work that was done was absolutely perfect. They explained all of our options and gave us alternative solutions. I was happy all the way through.

The finished product has always exceeded our expectations.

Laurie C.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

4
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

Just today I told somebody that Ben is an artist and does what he says he is going to do.

There are so many things. He's on time. It's been all good. It boils down to the fact that he does what he says he is going to do, period. You can count on that.

Sandie T.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

5
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

Very reliable, excellent service, good communication, and very professional

I guess I like the way that the communication works. Benjamin listens, and he interprets well. The outcome was what I wanted.

Alice A.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

6
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

That he is an honest person, I also liked that he kept his word. He was on time when I wanted to meet with him for an assessment. He was punctual. He has integrity and a great work ethic. I even recommended him to my next door neighbor.

The quality

Barbara N.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

7
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They can rely on Benjamin to do a very good job.

They were competent, efficient, on time, reliable, dependable, honest, and every other boy scout quality you can think of.

Carol J.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

8
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He is professional, he listens to the client, and he makes sure that the client is satisfied.

That he makes sure I am satisfied

Chad S.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

9
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He works really hard, he gets the job done very efficiently, and he can do things the way you want them done. If you want it to be all proper and clean, he can do that. If you really want to do the place up, he can do that as well.

Just that he gets things done quickly and efficiently, a lot of contractors take their time. If Benjamin says it will be done in 30 days, it will be done in 29 days.

Edward V.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

10
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They were very fast, and their work was excellent.

I guess basically they completed the job in 3 or 4 days, and the quality was really excellent. He did the work based on the agreed upon price in the number of days specified.

Ms. S.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

11
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He was efficient, on time, and courteous.

He was efficient, on time, reasonably priced, and excellent with my small children.

Pierre F.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

12
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

To use them

I think he is prompt and really professional. He is good at his trade.

Scott T.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

13
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He is very fair with his price, his workmanship is very good, he was punctual, he came out when he said he was going to out, and he was very diplomatic and polite. He gave me options for what I wanted to do.

He actually did a deck and sanded it down, painted it, stained it, and put in a section of fencing. My wife is very happy with what he did.

Ginny P.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

14
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He was on time and always had the right crew for each job. He's just very concerned about the client and wants to be helpful in any area he can.

He's trustworthy and very skillful. He looked after us well after the job was done. We were just very pleased.

Bob S.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

15
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He's very flexible, very honest, and very conscientious.

The quality of the work

Chad S.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

16
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He does a very good job, he works very quickly, and he lives up to his contract.

I like his motivation. He's very motivated to get the job going and get it done.

Florin I.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

17
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He did a good job.

He finished the job on time and he did a good job. I'm very happy.

Barbara M.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

18
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He's very knowledgeable about construction and he's very happy to do the work. He's a friendly person.

The outcome was good.

Haisong Z.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

19
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I have recommended him to many people. He is an honest contractor, which is a key factor, and he tells you the best way to do things. He does quality work and he cares about making you happy.

His honesty and that he finished the project on time, we are so pleased with his work.

Jeff S.

VERIFIED Benjamin D. Construction, Inc. CUSTOMER

20
of
29

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He was very professional. He came back and checked everything to make sure they're okay.